You think the other test was difficult? (no pun intended) Well, try this:
One audio file was sent to the SSL FX G384 compressor (serial number below 200 = a good one) via Apogee DA-16X and AD-16X.
The next just through the Apogee DA-16X and AD-16X (in and outs cross-patched) and then through the Waves SSL stereo compressor.
And the third through the Apogee's and then URS 1980.
All converters clocked by BigBen. 44.1kHz/24bit.
UV22HR 16 bit has been used after the processing on the final files to reduce the download to 16 bit.
I tried to match all compressors as closely as possible so I got the best phase cancellation when phase-reversing one file.
Even with the same settings it was obvious that the compression on all units is slightly different, no matter how hard I tried. (You can import the files and phase reverse one to hear the difference yourself)
The settings I used were:
Ratio 4, Attack 10ms, release 0.3, the gain reduction hitting 4db.
For the DrumsOnly files:
Ratio 4, Attack 3ms, release 0.3, gain reduction hitting 8db. (for this test to hear them working!)
Again, I tried to match the gain reduction and level so I got the best phase cancellation. (I didn't pay any attention to what the meters ate showing because that can be misleading)
Now tell us what you think.
Which file is what? What do you like best?
I changed the order compared to the old test. So what was Test1 there doesn't mean it's Test1 again, but it could be......who knows....
The poll askes for what you like best, and not what do you think is the hardware.
If this test is doing your head in go over to the simple one:
https://gearspace.com/board/high-end/59002-waves-ssl-vs-ssl-fx-384-test.html
The results have been posted! Look further down the thread (page 3)....Don't want to post them here to spoil the fun....
On page 2 of the thread there are additional files if you are interested...and on page 4, thanks to Svein, there is an Impact compressor file.